awww, sugar, sugar

Posted on Posted in lace/shawls

it’s off the needles—finished up the shawl last night instead of working on the pattern, because i realized i couldn’t finalize things til i knew how the necked worked out.
also, i’ve picked up some kind of sore throat thing and by 7 pm, it was all over between me and the computer; i needed to huddle someplace warm (good luck with that) and knit.

i took this picture this morning while i was measuring it all over pre-blocking. then i put it on for a good soak while i did my bookkeeping and around noon i started pinning it out

the yarn has such wonderful coppery highlights and streaks of dark red that give the fabric a moiré or watered-silk effect.

i pinned out the hem scallops by hand instead of using the wires—they really needed to be able to spread and round out more than the wires would allow, due to their size. i opted for an organic, asymmetrical shaping on those (but you can mold the fabric lots of different ways in the blocking)

the shoulder shaping looks like the windows of a gothic church, heh.

i do like the way they turned out—it was worth the struggle i had, getting that shaping to work out on paper (two days of staring at the screen to make the numbers work, ugh, can you believe that?? ok, i was coming down with something, but still . . .).

the problem was that central column of faggoting—i wanted that to run right up the center of the shoulder, dammit! (btw, if you clicked that link, try this one, too—absolutely fascinating—the things you can learn from knitting . . .)

but it was throwing the section on either side off kilter, so that that they weren’t centered. and, as you can see, the patterned panel is not a symmetrical motif either which threw another monkey wrench into the mix. it was either make a chart that was 110 sts (about 20 inches) wide or think of something else. well, i did finally think of something else, but it took a while.

oh well, there’s got to be a hurdle somewhere, and this was the sole hangup for this pattern, so i can’t complain. now to see if it all works—i’ll pass the baton to the test knitters in the next day or so and let them work their magic while we wait patiently (no worries, i have plenty of other entertainment planned for the interim).

ok, ok, i know—you want the payoff shot, right?? here you go

now. time to name it. i’m really getting strong vibes from it for something like “sugar maple”—is it too weird? i still like “autumn mantle” too but that has a monastic ring to it that bothers me a little.

at any rate, i am greatly relieved and elated that it will, indeed, be winging off on monday to kim and a trip to SPA. if you’ll be there, you can visit, say hi to kim, and get a closer look at the woolen rabbit booth. i wish i could be there, too.

ok,now—i have a pattern to finish up.

108 thoughts on “awww, sugar, sugar

  1. Just when I think you have maxed out on gorgeous shawl pattern, you come up with this one, Anne. It is breathtaking. Yarn from Kim is already in my stash. Cannot wait for the pattern. No pressure, though. Take your time. Your health comes first, say your adoring fans.

  2. Just when I think I have seen the most beautiful shawl ever,you top it! I can’t picture it in any
    other color combination,so a generic name is difficult to come up with. The shawl reminds me of the autumn walk thru the woods behind our house.

  3. I love its maple goodness. Yet, if it were knit in pale green, it would be so Luna Moth. It’s a beauty; I started to complement the parts I liked most, and then realized I would be doing a commentary on the entire shawl! VBG!

    Congratulations on realizing your vision – great job!

  4. Oh, the link cut of the rest of my comment. Anyway, in German this butterfly is called “Kaisermantel”, which means “Emperors cloak/coat”. The similarity is astonishing 😉

  5. Hi! Maybe combine the two and call it Autumn Maple?
    When I hear the word mantle, I think of the first line of the introduction to the song “Winter Wonderland”: “Over the ground lies a mantle of white…”. Sounds pretty cozy and not monastic at all (IMHO). Just a thought.

    It is gorgeous!

  6. I agree with Petra & Sheri, it looks like wings. You should name it Wings. It is beautiful. I can’t wait to buy the pattern.

  7. I have an ex-boyfriend who’s becoming a monk – it’s the happiest he’s ever been about a choice in the many years that I’ve known him. I think that autumn mantle sounds like some wonderful mystical ritual garment for welcoming the new season. Monasticism isn’t all repression and judgment. 😀

  8. Oh my, you have outdone yourself on this one! So very beautiful and I also have some Woolen Rabbit yarn in my stash that has been waiting for something as elegant as this.

    Stay warm, and get well, Anne.

  9. That is absolutely gorgeous! I am trying to wait patiently to buy this one, but it is definitely a must have. I have to say the first thing that came to mind when I saw it was phoenix. It also does look like a butterfly in flight. Stunning.

  10. So pretty! I’ve been following your progress on this piece and look forward to the pattern release. Congrats!

  11. That. is. so. gorgeous. It is exactly the colors of a Japanese maple, like someone said above, but “Japanese maple” seems kinda clunky. I wonder what the Japanese is?
    *pause for lookup*
    According to wikipedia, the tree is called “irohamomiji” How about “Osakazuki” (one of the vivid autumn cultivars)?

  12. Anne,
    I don’t know how you envision this? I just don’t—the yarn is gorgeous and the intricate design is amazing!

    I’m throwing Winged Maple into the hat-

  13. This is a stunning shawl! Really, it is truly gorgeous! If you didn’t already have so many other fabulous designs in your collection, I’d be tempted to say that you outdid yourself on this one.
    As for the name, what about Samara (or Samaras), as in the fruit from the maple tree? That’s what the shape of the main stitch pattern reminds me.

  14. I LOVE it! Can’t wait until the pattern is available — great combination of yarn and design.

  15. I love this beautiful shawl Anne. I think Autumn Maple would be a good suggestion. The shape reminds me of a slightly wrinkled leaf that has fallen from the tree. You could also think of Liquid Amber – that tree also has beautiful red autumnal colouring.

  16. It is so beautiful, but I think there can only be one name. From the moment I looked at the first picture, I got a very strong impression of a butterfly and the last picture,the bottom of the shawl looks like the edge of a lovely ruffled red butterfly wing.

  17. Anne, even though I don’t knit lace I find myself in constant awe of what you’re able to do with sticks and string. You have a gift, and I’m jealous!

  18. It’s beautiful. My first thought was “moth”, so I’m keying in to the wing theme along with everyone else…

  19. Anne, this is the most original, fluid, masterpiece I have ever seen in a shawl. When I saw the blocked out shot, I thought of the Phoenix rising out of the ashes, and I saw someone else had the same thought. This is a must make. Your creativity and execution is awe inspiring.

  20. Unstretched, it is gorgeous. Stretched it is beyond gorgeous–the color and the design!!!! You’ve outdone yorself. It makes me think of wings–birds, angels…are there any orange butterflies that aren’t monarchs?

    So, I Googled “orange butterflies” and clicked on “images” and found several :

    A common species in Buenos Aires province, the nice and orange Agraulis vanillae maculosa

    The Gulf Fritillary, Agraulis vanillae, a striking, bright orange butterfly of the family Nymphalidae, subfamily Heliconiinae

    …bright orange butterflies are called Julia Longwings.

    Cruiser butterfly (Vindula erota), an orange butterfly on forest floor in Borneo

    I kind of like “fritillary” as a name.

  21. Wowowowowowow!That is gorgeous! I’ll bet it will be even more lovely when it’s on! It was really fun to follow this project from start to finish.

    Winged Autumn? It reminds me of falling leaves floating through the air to the ground. If you are waffling on Autumn Mantle, what about Autumn Cloak?

  22. ooooohhhh….that really turned out pretty! i can’t wait to see the ‘action’ pics. i hope you’re feeling better – there’s a nasty bug that’s been going around.

  23. Its just, sugar maple describes the yarn, as much as the pattern. If someone did it in, oh lets say blue it would be odd to say its called “Sugar Maple” if the color has nothing to do with the color of sugar maples.
    Other then that, its a good name.

  24. Beautiful! Reminds me of what a fairy of the maples might wear as camouflage while flitting through forest canopy. Gorgeous work!

  25. Gorgeous shawl! Brava! When I saw it in it’s blocked glory, I immediately thought of Margarita Consuelo, aka Rita Hayworth, in Blood and Sand with Tyrone Power. And you know she wore a mantilla in the movie…and doesn’t the color and flow resemble her hair, kinda? Very exciting!!!

  26. BEe-youuu-tee-ful! That’s gonna be my next one. I finished Caricia within abuot 10 days. LOL I just got around to blocking it last night tho. I went with the 9 repeats. But I digress…

    How about Autumn Sun?

  27. I too think it looks like a butterfly pinned out like that. With that organic depth of color as well.

    I saw you’re teaching at Sock Summit…

  28. Faerie. Absolutely Stunning. My 4 y/o stashy girlie would flit and float around in that all day – and culminate by cuddling up with it under chin.

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